Page 237 - 4091-BOOK3

LOT 3408
Historic U.S. General Curtis E. LeMay Factory Presentation Inscribed and
Upgraded Colt National Match Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 13920-NM, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. Manufactured in 1964, this interesting Colt National Match pistol is factory
inscribed for presentation to U.S. general, and at the time Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Curtis E. LeMay. LeMay is well known for having developed
the strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific Theater during World War II as well as his work on strategic bombing initiatives during the Cold War. The 1960s are marked
as a period of drastic change in the U.S. Air Force, as well as the military as a whole, with many companies vying for contracts to provide the weapons needed for the changing
landscape of war. The decade was also marked by an increased interest and emphasis on marksmanship, with the popularity of marksmanship teams and competitions increasing
dramatically. This specific pistol appears to be a prime example of both of those influences, being an excellent presentation piece to show the head of the U.S. Air Force what Colt was capable of, both with regards to military weapons as well as competition shooting. The front
left of the slide is factory inscribed with “GENERAL/CURTIS E. LEMAY” with four stars below it. The left of the slide also has the standard model, Colt, and caliber marking, followed by the Rampant Colt. The right of the slide has the standard one line address. “P/VP” are marked on the left of the trigger guard and the right of the frame has the serial number with “NM” suffix. It is fitted with an extended Patridge blade front sight and adjustable BO-MAR rear sight, serrated adjustable trigger, serrated slide stop and thumb safety, serrated narrow hammer, serrated and stippled front strap, a straight stippled mainspring housing, and a pair of diamond pattern, checkered rosewood grips. CONDITION: Extremely fine, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish, a few scattered light handling marks, and crisp factory inscription. The replacement grips are very fine with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A fantastic opportunity to add a Colt National Match pistol presented to one of the Air Force’s most well-known generals to your collection!
Provenance: The Jon M. Maxwell Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3409
Unique “One-of-a-Kind” Large Smith & Wesson “Flight Crewman’s” Revolver Manufacturing Process Display -A) Smith & Wesson K-Frame Double Action Revolver Cutaway - Serial no. DISPLAY, 38 Special cal., 3 inch solid rib bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. A manufacturing display for a Smith & Wesson .38 Special chambered, K-frame, double action revolver, listed on the display placard as “FLIGHT CREWMAN’S REVOLVER,” showcasing the various components of the revolver as seen during various phases of the production process. This includes the barrel, locking bolt, thumb piece, bolt, sear, hammer nose, hammer, stirrup, hammer block, side, plate, frame assembly, yoke, hand, trigger lever, trigger, main spring, cylinder stop, rebound slide, rod, center pin, cylinder assembly, and walnut grips, with most all minus the
grips labeled on a semi-circular placard. In the center of the display, namely the frame assembly section, are showcased: A) a complete Model 10-5 cutaway down the centerline with “DISPLAY” marked on the bottom of the butt, B) a frame in the white after the internal and external milling processes are completed, and C) a frame assembly forging after the internal milling processes have been completed. All components are showcased in an enclosed oiled walnut display frame, with “S&W” monograms on either side and “MANUFACTURED BY SMITH & WESSON INC.” in the bottom legend. The case measures 36 1/2” x 64 1/2”.
CONDITION: Excellent as factory converted into a cutaway display piece by the Smith & Wesson factory, retaining 99% plus original blue and casehardened finishes with bright cut lines. The display frame is very fine with light handling marks.
B) Smith & Wesson K-Frame Double Action Revolver - NSN, 38 Special , bright finish. Cased in display frame with “A” and “C.” See description for item “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent as machined by the Smith & Wesson factory and left bright for the display, with tooling marks and minimal oxidation evidence.
C) Smith & Wesson K-Frame Double Action Revolver - NSN, 38 Special , bright finish. Cased in display frame with “A” and “B.” See description for item “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent as partially machined by the Smith & Wesson factory and left bright for the display, with tooling marks on the internals and rougher machining on the external surfaces.
Provenance: The Jon M. Maxwell Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 15,000
235